James (Abingdon New Testament Studies)

Sleepers lucid exposition of James restores this often neglected work to its rightful place in the Christian canon. Carefully charting the verbal structures and argument of the letter he demonstrates that it is a coherent piece of moral teaching intended to encourage the development of Christian character not just a collection of disparate maxims. As he guides the reader through the letters basic themes Sleeper is attentive to its echoes in the Old Testament Hellenistic Jewish wisdom literature and sayings of Jesus as well as to its affinities with other Christian writings. Moreover he shows that the authors understanding of God and of human nature provides a significant theological foundation for practical wisdom about the Christian moral life.